A new image suggesting Apple will soon launch an “iPhone 4S” was revealed on Thursday. 9to5Mac published a photo from Apple’s internal inventory that clearly shows the iPhone 4S moniker and suggests the 16GB iPhone 4S model number is “MD239.” Oddly, the new device is also codenamed “N94″ which was previously thought to have been reserved for the iPhone 5. 9to5Mac also said it also confirmed the phone in the system packs a dual-core A5 processor. On Wednesday we reported on a different internal inventory leak that suggested Apple will release two new 8GB iPhone models, one black and one white, in addition to a white iPod touch. While most reports have suggested Apple will reveal a thinner, lighter, aluminum unibody iPhone 5 alongside a cheaper iPhone 4S model, perhaps Apple will instead introduce an iPhone 4S and an 8GB iPhone 4. More →

Apple is preparing to launch a new, less expensive iPhone 4 model that will become available at the end of September alongside the iPhone 5, Reuters reported on Tuesday. Citing multiple anonymous sources, the news organization says that the retooled iPhone 4 will feature a smaller 8GB flash drive manufactured by an unnamed South Korean company. Apple has sourced flash drives for its current iPhone models from Toshiba and Samsung. Reuters also contradicts recent reports that the iPhone 5 will launch in early October, writing instead that Apple is “targeting an end-September launch for the next-generation iPhone 5.” The report restates numerous others that claim the iPhone 5 will feature a larger display, a new antenna design and an 8-megapixel camera. More →

After years of waiting from BlackBerry users, the ultimate BlackBerry has finally been made official. We broke the story on the next generation BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930, and we even spent some one-on-one time with it, but there is nothing like an official announcement, right? As far as specs, it’s everything we reported it would be — 1.2GHz processor, 2.8-inch capacitive touchscreen, full QWERTY keyboard, 5 megapixel camera with 720p HD video recording, 8GB of onboard storage, and more. As far as availability, RIM said that the new BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 will be available from “carriers around the world” starting this summer. We’re hearing June / July still. Entire press release is after the break. More →

Today’s one of those days when we wish we lived in South Korea. Samsung’s hot new Galaxy S II — which packs a dual-core Orion CPU, an 8 megapixel camera, a 4.27-inch Super AMOLED Plus touchscreen, and more — hits the South Korean market on all three of the country’s wireless carriers. Samsung shipped more than 14 million of the first generation Galaxy S devices, and it hopes to sell at least 10 million Galaxy S II handsets as the device makes its debut in 120 countries and on 140 different carriers in the coming months. “We expect sales to be as good as the Galaxy S,” Shin Jong-Kyun, president of Samsung Mobile, told AFP. Unfortunately there’s no word if or when the Galaxy S II will hit the United States, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see it pop up given that the first generation was offered by each of the big-four carriers. More →

Samsung Russia has confirmed that it will launch a new version of the popular Galaxy S Android smartphone next month. The Galaxy S 2011 edition will ship with Android 2.3 and also feature a new metal back cover. The phone packs a faster 1.4GHz Qualcomm MSM8255T Snapdragon processor — as opposed to the 1GHz Samsung Hummingbird CPU in the original — as well as a 14.4Mbps HSPA+ radio and a larger 1,650mAh battery. The rest of the hardware remains identical to the original; that includes a 4-inch Super AMOLED display, 8GB of internal storage, Bluetooth 3.0, 5 megapixel camera capable of recording 720p HD video, and more. The Galaxy S 2011 edition is expected to hit Russia next month for 24,000 rubles ($846 USD). There’s no word if the 2011 edition will ever be available in other countries. Hit the jump for Samsung Russia’s blog post. More →

You thought we were done revealing RIM’s 2011 BlackBerry lineup? Not quite yet. In addition to the new BlackBerry Bold, BlackBerry Curve, and BlackBerry Torch 2, we have received photos and information about the BlackBerry Storm 3. The specifications on the Storm 3 are pretty impressive and will definitely position this Storm sequel nicely among other top-of-market handsets. It also will feature the highest resolution display to ever ship on a BlackBerry smartphone — a 800 x 480-pixel display and yes, it will have an optical trackpad (though we’re not sure why). Here is the thing, it’s entirely possible RIM will change the Storm branding on the device — codenames are Monaco and Monza for the global devices — we’ll have to wait and see. We have all the specs after the break! More →

A blog by the name of Mobility Insider is claiming to have the inside scoop on the pricing schema for the unreleased BlackBerry Playbook tablet. The site does not cite any sources — anonymous or otherwise — but claims to have first hand knowledge about RIM’s tablet. The report indicates that the Playbook will be available with three different storage capacities. An 8GB model will retail for $399, a 16GB for $499, and a 32GB for $599. The site goes on to note that all models will be Wi-Fi only and will acquire cellular data connectivity through a tethered BlackBerry smartphone. RIM’s highly-anticipated, dual-core tablet is set to launch sometime early next year… what do you think of the purported pricing?

You know we are big fans of Vertu handsets around these parts, and Mr. Frank Nuovo certainly isn’t sitting in the UK counting iPhone sales while doing nothing. Vertu has, in Vertu tradition, silently announced an updated model in their lineup and it is the new Vertu Ascent for 2010. Picking up on almost all of the previous phone’s shortcomings (save for the S40-based OS, of course), the new Ascent features quad-band 3G, GPS, preloaded maps for navigation, a 5 megapixel camera, and will come in 8GB and 32GB internal memory configurations in addition to titanium and aircraft-grade aluminum casings. But, it’s a Vertu, and that means there are a plethora of different color combinations. Since the Ascent is racing inspired, don’t hold your breath for diamond-studded versions. Yet there are plenty of bright color finishes to get your juices flowing. You know, if you are into dropping anywhere from $5,000 and up on a cell phone. Couple more shots after the break!

Definitely not confirmed, but rather interesting nonetheless. We’ve heard now from two sources that AT&T, and we guess Apple, are contemplating launching an 8GB iPhone 3GS at the $99 price point before Christmas. One source said this was AT&T’s way of combating the DROID madness.

Oh Rogers, Rogers, Rogers. A short and sweet PRified denial isn’t going to get you out of this one just yet. Rogers claims that all past references to the 8GB iPhone 3GS, whether in its internal sales system or on its own consumer website, were nothing more than a mistake that has been since been corrected. If this were really the case, why is it that an entry for the “IPHN8BLKR 3GS GSM” is still alive in kicking in SalesCentral? Beyond pretty clear visual evidence, we’ve been in contact with several Rogers dealers who have confirmed references to an 8GB 3GS coming and going from the system quite often in the past week. Yeah, we can’t help but think that someone is lying here — and we bet you can all guess whose pants we think are on fire. Hit the jump for a bigger version of the image above.

An iPhone 3GS versus 3G comparison chart on the Rogers website seemingly confirms the existence of an iPhone 3GS 8GB as we scooped exclusively earlier this month. Even with a casual glance, one can not miss that big blue check mark clearly marking the iPhone 3GS as being available in an 8GB capacity. Whether this is an errant check mark that needs to be wiped from the chart or a cleverly designed leak remains to be seen but with the previous intel we unleashed last week, we’re obviously leaning towards the latter. No other details are available but it looks like those of you who haven’t yet snagged an iPhone 3GS will have an 8GB model to look forward to soon enough.

We’ve had a number of unconfirmed tips over the last few days about this so we figured we’d post it… apparently it seems that Rogers in Canada is in the process of shipping iPhone 3GS 8GB flavor handsets to stores. Again, unconfirmed, no idea on pricing (we have no clue where to start on that) but we felt it was newsworthy to at least let you guys know what we’re hearing. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Maybe the iPhone 3G stock is finally sold out and Apple will quietly (or not quietly) replace the $99 model iPhone with an 8GB 3GS?

UPDATE: Added screenshots. Definitely looks legit to us! One more shot after the breakage.